Terminating a job interview
Discussion
whitesocks said:
This is a question for employers here (Or anybody who has interviewed somebody before) but have you ever had to terminate a job interview in the past? Was it due to rudeness from the interviewee? Or other factors?
I’ve turned 1 hour interview slots into 30 minutes on many occasions, usually because of lack of experience and engagement from the candidate. Usual problem is time wasting candidates that don’t stand up to the skills on their cv. A couple times.
One where the interviewee came in and said the job isn't what he is looking for, the recruiter just convinced him to come. The interview was basically terminated in the first 30 seconds!
Another where the interviewee couldn't answer many technical questions and the interview was mutually terminated. Though I did give him some advice and pointers on what he should be learning for a role such as the one we had on offer, so at least there was some value for him.
One where the interviewee came in and said the job isn't what he is looking for, the recruiter just convinced him to come. The interview was basically terminated in the first 30 seconds!
Another where the interviewee couldn't answer many technical questions and the interview was mutually terminated. Though I did give him some advice and pointers on what he should be learning for a role such as the one we had on offer, so at least there was some value for him.
RegMolehusband said:
A managing director I used to work for terminated an interview for a sales manager position before it even started on the basis of an applicant’s feeble handshake.
Wow! Tbf, a bad handshake always puts me off too.. I did work somewhere where the ceo walked into the kitchen area where he was greeted by the new guy. When asking the new guy how things were going the reply was along the lines of the role being "quiet". The ceo told him to gtfo as he isn't going to employee someone to do nothing!
I terminated one as the interviewee. As we went through and I learned more about the role it became apprent I would struggle with it. Not a problem on anyone's side, just there's only so muuch you can put in a job description and CV. So I jst said that i didn't think I was the applicant they were looking for and we had a chat about it and left on (I hope) good terms.
I always book 45 mins to do interviews. That way, if they’re not good I can terminate at 30-35mins and doesn’t look too rude, and if they’re great, I can extend to 50-55 mins and sell the role to them a bit.
For the ones that I can tell are no good in 10 mins, I use the next 10 mins to give them every chance to do better - may just be nerves - then use the final 10 mins to firm up facts for my notes, which helps if they ask for feedback later. I’ve very rarely terminated an interview on the spot, but then am not usually the first person in my firm to interview a candidate.
For the ones that I can tell are no good in 10 mins, I use the next 10 mins to give them every chance to do better - may just be nerves - then use the final 10 mins to firm up facts for my notes, which helps if they ask for feedback later. I’ve very rarely terminated an interview on the spot, but then am not usually the first person in my firm to interview a candidate.
There are some candidates who manage to get through the shortlisting process but it becomes quite apparent quickly that they're not capable of doing the hob.
What I tend to do is to run through the questions a bit more quickly, wrap things up, and then escort them back out. Even though theyve wasted your time I'd expect to be courteous. They'd have to do something quite bad to "terminate" an interview.
What I tend to do is to run through the questions a bit more quickly, wrap things up, and then escort them back out. Even though theyve wasted your time I'd expect to be courteous. They'd have to do something quite bad to "terminate" an interview.
tejr said:
RegMolehusband said:
A managing director I used to work for terminated an interview for a sales manager position before it even started on the basis of an applicant’s feeble handshake.
Wow! Tbf, a bad handshake always puts me off too.. I did work somewhere where the ceo walked into the kitchen area where he was greeted by the new guy. When asking the new guy how things were going the reply was along the lines of the role being "quiet". The ceo told him to gtfo as he isn't going to employee someone to do nothing!
Sign of insincerity. A crusher is the way to go.
Was interviewing graduates for a global accounting firm when an exceptionally good young graduate came in. Great academics,pleasant personality ,definite winner.
At one point she asked me about training. At that time we had a training centre in Paris and I described the program.
“Paris?”she said . “I’d have to travel? My mother would never let me”
The job was 30% travel. Closed interview.
At one point she asked me about training. At that time we had a training centre in Paris and I described the program.
“Paris?”she said . “I’d have to travel? My mother would never let me”
The job was 30% travel. Closed interview.
RDMcG said:
Was interviewing graduates for a global accounting firm when an exceptionally good young graduate came in. Great academics,pleasant personality ,definite winner.
At one point she asked me about training. At that time we had a training centre in Paris and I described the program.
“Paris?”she said . “I’d have to travel? My mother would never let me”
The job was 30% travel. Closed interview.
It's a shame that some people still let there parents dictate there life.At one point she asked me about training. At that time we had a training centre in Paris and I described the program.
“Paris?”she said . “I’d have to travel? My mother would never let me”
The job was 30% travel. Closed interview.
I went to an interview and when asked what attracted me to the role/company, amongst other reasons I said it was close to home, so an easy commute.
Guy interviewing me said they were moving to a new location 45 mins away in a few months.
I said "may as well end this now then." The job sounded much worse than it did on paper, so I probably wouldn't have taken it if offered anyway.
Guy interviewing me said they were moving to a new location 45 mins away in a few months.
I said "may as well end this now then." The job sounded much worse than it did on paper, so I probably wouldn't have taken it if offered anyway.
I went for an interview once, it didn’t last very long when I was told I’d be spending a day a week in the office, a day down south then fly to Belfast for 2 days and then Friday in Glasgow before flying back to Manchester to pick my car up to drive home.
The interview was through an agency, they got told not to waste my time in future.
The interview was through an agency, they got told not to waste my time in future.
I've terminated interviews before where it was clear the candidate wasn't suitable and/or didn't have the requisite skills and knowledge. On at least one occasion my approach was "this clearly isn't going anywhere, let's not waste any more of your time or mine" - put politely, but firmly.
Wacky Racer said:
tejr said:
RegMolehusband said:
A managing director I used to work for terminated an interview for a sales manager position before it even started on the basis of an applicant’s feeble handshake.
Wow! Tbf, a bad handshake always puts me off too.. I did work somewhere where the ceo walked into the kitchen area where he was greeted by the new guy. When asking the new guy how things were going the reply was along the lines of the role being "quiet". The ceo told him to gtfo as he isn't going to employee someone to do nothing!
Sign of insincerity. A crusher is the way to go.
https://youtu.be/w7ngnhj4snE
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